A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-12,13-05....Ready ~ Set Tables ~ GO!

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Well, not that kind of table...but html tables. Continuing our theme of a few weeks ago, today's thread is devoted to having more fun with tables. If you missed it earlier and need the text for the table templates, please go to the Mission: Possible! thread. There are six different ready-to-copy-and-paste templates there from which to choose!

Your challenge today is to use these templates as a guide and create your own combination by replacing my urls with yours in the examples. Google is your friend. (Search Google Web, not Images, for Background sets:) Some of you are already doing this - it's fun, isn't it?)

Now that you have some templates to work with in setting up your multiple background tables, let's dress up the graphics the same way. A photo can be just placed on a page alone, or you can use tables to make a frame for the photo in a number of ways.

Below, I've posted one photo three ways: first without a frame/border, and then a very basic one, and finally multiple table borders.

Plain..No Border..Nada

I can hardly post a plain graphic on a colored background anymore - it just looks nekkid! Don't you think? :)

---

Simple Table Border

This has the most basic of all tables; the command could hardly be more simple, and yet it finishes this little gif quite nicely. This is the text for this plain little border:

<center> <table border=4> <tr><td>
<img src="http://d21c.com/billie/logos/billielittlegirl.gif" width=160 height=180 align=middle>
</td></tr></table></center>

---

Multiple Table Borders

Probably a little too fancy-smancy for this gif, but just wanted to show you more of what you can do with tables and pictures. There are four sets of tables surrounding the picture, and effects can be changed simply by increasing or decreasing the cellpadding and/or border numbers.

When building the tables, start with the outer table first, and work inward. Finish by adding the image.

Text for the above framework:

<center> <table background="http://d21c.com/billie/
backgrounds/goldpatternbg.jpg" cellpadding=4
cellspacing=0 border=14>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/
backgrounds/periwinklewatercolorribbon.jpg"
cellpadding=0 border=11>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/
backgrounds/periwinklesolidbg.jpg" cellspacing=0
border=3><tr><td><center>
<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=2>
<tr><td><img src="http://d21c.com/billie/
logos/billielittlegirl.gif" width=160 height=180 align=middle>
</td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>

To create a pleasing set of table backgrounds, you should usually have at least three small background images (they will tile to fill whatever table size you specify):   a pattern of some kind, a coordinated gradient ribbon, and a solid texture for the top/main "palette" to place your text and images on. You can also match your font color to one of those background colors, instead of the standard black, white, red, blue, etc.

Here are a couple of links you might find helpful in making *your* tables pretty and fun!

Gradient Ribbon Colors

HTML Color Codes

*NOTE*:   Another thing you should know is that you can also use the html colors for your backgrounds instead of a background jpeg or gif. Anywhere in the table command where it says <table background="http://rest of the url/filename.jpg" cellpadding=10 border=6>, remove background="http://...../filename.jpg" and replace it with bgcolor=2f4f4f or any of the color codes above, so that it would look like this: <table bgcolor=2f4f4f cellpadding=10 border=6>

The templates and instructions that I've posted are only a small sampling of what can be done using tables, and certainly not the only way. You can find many other ways to make multiple background tables, but hopefully, this will get you started.

* BONUS! *

Here is a very simple example using three backgrounds: a blue gradient, a pink plaid, and a pink rose on pink for the inside. I used the same font color as in the rest of the post. (Font color="2f4f4f")

Below are the html commands (it will be wider than this, and grow longer as you add text and a picture.)

<center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/stormyweatherbg2.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=2>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/Pinkplaidbg.gif" cellpadding=20 cellspacing=0 border=2>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/stormyweatherbg2.jpg" cellpadding=2>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://www.d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/pinkrosebg.jpg" width=500 cellpadding=30>
<tr><td>
<center>
<img src="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/PinkplaidRosebar.gif" width=288 height=44>
</center> <font color=2f4f4f>
Delete this whole sentence and put your post here instead. </td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>
</td></tr></table></center>

Now that you are armed and dangerous, FReepers, go get those templates, go get those backgrounds, and

06-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-11-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

I don't always pay any attention to taglines, and even some that I do, I think are a private joke, so I tend to overlook those which I don't understand. I'm so sorry - how painful it must be. :( No, doctors, dentists, and hospitals are not something to look forward to. Chin up, Friend - we'll be a'thinkin 'bout you and offerin a little prayer to get you through it.

[Billie]

Hey! Are those *Bob's* French Fries in that border?! :) He did say he makes the very best. :)

[Gabz]

Thank you, FRiend.

[Billie]

Yes, you can write 'there'. Didn't delete the whole sentence above, though, didja? LOL

That is a beautiful picture of the children praying though.

[JustAmy]

Butterfly

What’s in those flowers that you sip,
That makes you seem so tipsy?
We can’t tell if you’re coming from,
Albany or Poughkeepsie,

Or even if you’re going to,
One place or the other.
The way you travel seems to be,
You’re looking for your mother!

Just as a toddler wanders round,
With no fixed course in sight,
The butterfly flits both here and yon,
In most erratic flight.

It seems so inefficient,
Why can’t you just hold still?
And then you stop, and fold your wings,
Upon a daffodil.

You daintily step forward,
“I haven’t touched a drop!”
And just as sober as a Judge,
You spread your wings and FLOP!

And Flip, and Flap, and bounce.
A goonie in reverse.
How can you be so comical?
I know you don’t rehearse.

And yet you get where you must go,
God knows how you can do it.
Perhaps the use of folded hands,
And faith just leads you to it.

By NicknamedBob . . . . March 30, 2004
© 2004

[Billie]

Either Billie or Dansangel gave me the link to that site, didn't know you weren't aware of it.

I don't remember if I gave it to you or not - think that kayak is the one I got it from and know I've used it a lot. I gave several links to you and dansy and dutchess early on though - it could have been one of them.

Dolly, I think I lost that link when my machine was reformatted in February, so didn't have it to give to you in all the 'stuff' I bombarded you with! :)

Lori, gosh, you and I were pretty much on the same page when we started the Finest, so you didn't need me to furnish you links! :)

[Gabz]

LOL!!!!

I'm glad Wolfie is going to stop chasing me for a while, that is very good news :)

My dogs have been really weird about the whole situation.

The old one (13yo lab/chessie) has long insisted on laying right next to me, and doesn't understand that I can't get up if she does and is very miffed at me for putting stuff on the floor around my chair.

The young one (2yo lab/chow) is terrified of the crutches, but stays within sight of me and harrasses the old one to get out of my way.

[Billie]

Billie must have gone somewhere. She explained how to use the notepad to work up Posts Here.

I was gone for a few hours - lots to catch up with when I got back. Did you learn what to do with notepad, Luv?

[Gabz]

I'm so sorry your dad is so ill. My prayers are offered that they have gotten it quick enough and he will have a speedy recovery.

[Billie]

That is so cute, Kitty!

[DollyCali]

Billie, I recall initially you sent me a plethora of material & I was at the point THEN of not having a clue what to do with it all....shall I say "overwhelmed".

I know now (I think) what to do with it all.. just now need time/discipline to refine techniques.

You are a helpful and considerate source of info to all who ask.. such a gift.

Thank you!

[Billie]

(((((((((wolfie))))))))))

You're a sweetheart. I think Colleen said she had tried that, too, but I may be wrong. Anyway, thank you sweetly for your solution.

[Billie]

Hi, dutchess! It's been a lot of fun seeing what everyone's doing. Did you notice EVEN THE MAYOR did two?!!!! :)

P.S. You know, Mr. Two Cents still hasn't answered my mail to let him know he can have next week off! :)

[Gabz]

Thank you, my FRiend. I promise you will hear from me on Saturday - I may be a bit incoherent, but I promise to post once I get home!!!!

I'm going to try and convince my husband (coolbreeze) to post at least to the WFTD thread Friday afternoon or evening, once we know everything is OK.......I'll write the message out for him so I will know it gets posted to the right people and the right places. He lurks a lot but doesn't post often, so is not real familiar with how to get from here to there in the various threads :)

[DollyCali]

you know the surgery/recovery will be a bummer. but you will have computer time & can hone in on some skills that are ideal for a time such as this.

do you have someone to walk/run your pups & also help w/daughter????

these are always the biggest concerns when we are "down"?

[Gabz]

Oh, how pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Billie]

snugs, I'm so sorry about your dad being in the hospital. You are getting more than your share of bad things happening at the same time. Thank you for writing, appreciate hearing from you, and we'll be praying the news is better very soon. Take care, sweet FRiend.

[DollyCali]

I just went to your profile page & saw your hubby 'coolbreeze'.. neat. Love your pix. You daughter is a cutie. well you do have someone to take care of business.. and of course your hubby is welcome to visit w/us and hope he will to give update etc. WE are a majority of women but surely some REAL men visit, post, participate also. I think for few days after the narcotic wears off there will be big time pain... we will be praying for you Gabz.

[dutchess]

Just testing my thread. Tried to do it the way you said yesterday in notepad. It didn't work, I have no patience (and not a lot of time) so just popped in to check out pictures and formatting. Hope to have Lori here next Friday and maybe I can get a "lesson"! (hint hint lori...that's the REAL reason for the Marguarita and planeride bribe LOL!)

I'll make a note in my post to John about a week off. I think he often skips freepmail! Okay...back to work!

[Gabz]

I won't be able to do much more than computer time for a while..........LOL. Because I can assure you I will NOT be doing any sewing.

Thank you for your concern about the dogs and daughter.

I can handle the dogs without problem; the old one I just open the door for and the young one I have a chain on a hook right at the door and she waits for me to hook it and then goes out. They scratch the door when they want in, or if I'm outside they just stay with me.

Daughter is a bit trickier, but not an insurmountable problem. she is going to day camp and hubby has adjusted his work schedule so that he takes her on his way to work andis usually back in the vicinity in tiem to pick her..but I have a friend who lives halfway between here and there who is willing to go get her whenever necessary.

Again, many thanks for your concern.

I do so love all my FReeper FRiends.